One of the most prominent members of the pioneering group of composers known as the "Turkish Five" and the first to hold the title of State Artist of the Republic of Turkey, Ahmed Adnan Saygun (1907-1991) is a foundational and universal representative of contemporary Turkish music. Saygun has left a profound mark in the history of Turkish music with his works in various genres such as opera, oratorio, symphony, concerto, and chamber music. This significant cultural center of Izmir preserves the legacy of the great composer whose name it bears and reflects his devotion to the arts. The Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center (AASSM), a gift from the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality to the city, opened its doors on 27 December 2008. With a project by architect Tevfik Tozkoparan, this space, formerly a trolleybus garage and maintenance workshop, has been transformed into a versatile art center with a total area of approximately 30,000 square meters. Since its inception, AASSM has not only organized its own concerts and events such as Festival Izmir, but has also hosted numerous significant institutions and festivals. Among these are the weekly concerts of the Izmir State Symphony Orchestra, performances by the Izmir State Opera and Ballet, the Izmir European Jazz Festival, and the International Izmir Festival organized by the Izmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education (IKSEV). The center has welcomed national figures such as Fazıl Say, İdil Biret, Gülsin Onay, Güher and Süher Pekinel sisters, Itzhak Perlman, Riccardo Muti, Rengim Gökmen, Genco Erkal, Yıldız Kenter; as well as globally renowned artists like Mike Stern, Bobby McFerrin, Aziza Mustafa Zadeh, Igudesman & Joo, Michel Camilo, Yo-Yo Ma, Marcus Miller, Maxim Vengerov, Dany Brillant, Richard Bona, Alim Qasimov, Toto Cutugno, Ara Malikian, Anna Maria Jopek, Dhafer Youssef, Ibrahim Maalouf, KODO, Chick Corea, Arturo Sandoval, and popular artists like Sertab Erener. Additionally, distinguished ensembles and orchestras such as the Rustavi Ensemble, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Orchestra La Scala, Vladimir Spivakov and the Moscow Virtuosi, Presidential Symphony Orchestra, Borusan Quartet, and Kerem Görsev Trio have also met with art enthusiasts at AASSM.   AASSM has also made a name for itself with exhibitions, hosting many important artists and valuable exhibitions such as A Selection from Istanbul Modern Art Museum, the exhibition “I Lived with Love and Art” in honor of Semiha Berksoy's 100th birthday, Impact VideoFest, Salvador Dali in Izmir, Dialogue with Materials by Keiko Art, Yusuf Tuvi Retrospective, From Lausanne to the Republic İsmet İnönü, AASSM in Photographs from Aykut Uslutekin's Lens on the 10th Anniversary, World Art Day events, as well as exhibitions featuring Jose Saramago, Lynn Gilbert, and Bingül Başarır.  

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